I put my lawn chair on the grass just as Bill Tiberio's Band began playing the first tune. I couldn't help thinking that thousands of people had recently enjoyed the Xerox Jazz Festival downtown and here I was on a beautiful evening, comfortably listening to our very own jazz concert at Penfield's Amphitheater. It was 7:00 p.m. on July 15th.

A few minutes later, Bill Tiberio stepped up to the microphone and said: "Cool jazz refers to a very wide umbrella - really lots of different styles of jazz - and we do cover most of these styles. We're more of a contemp-orary jazz ensemble. We do a lot of work in funkier sounds and rock music. But we also play traditional jazz. As you'll see tonight, we'll be playing a little of everything. I hope, by the end of this evening, you can say that you've heard something that you've really, really enjoyed listening to."

The band this evening was made up of five individuals plus their guest vocalist: Stephanie LaBarge. Bill Tiberio is the saxophone and woodwind player who straddles the divide between straight-ahead and pop-oriented jazz styles. He says he likes to play soulful, blues-driven melodies. Bill is extremely busy teaching music at Fairport High School (since 1988), conducting bands, jazz ensembles, orchestras and chamber music. He is active in the Rochester music scene with this evening's concert only one of his gigs and he has performed with many show business celebrities and nationally-known musical organizations

Phil Lake is the drummer. He's got a Bachelor's degree from Berklee College of Music.

Geoff Smith plays the upright acoustic guitar and electric bass. He's got a Master's degree in jazz and contemporary media from the Eastman School of Music.

Scott Bradley was playing the piano and trumpet, but he excels on several additional instruments. He writes most of the music played by the band and he is a great arranger who has perfect pitch. He can hear a musical piece for the first time, write some quick notes on a scrap of paper and reproduce it perfectly later on. He's got music degrees from several colleges including the Eastman School of Music.

Some of the music played by the Bill Tiberio Band on Tuesday, July 15th:

** "Son of the King" and "Stand and Deliver" by Scott Bradley.

** "Don't Know Why" (a Nora Jones tune sung by Stephanie LaBarge).

** "Restless" and Sweet Obsession" by Scott Bradley. The band feels that these tunes are destined for greater recognition.

** "Let's Fall in Love." (The first swing tune of the evening.)

** "Travels." (A Pat Metheny tribute to saxophonist Charlie Haiden.)

** "I Can't Make You Love Me." (Sung by Stephanie. This was one of this evening's favorites for me.)

There will be three more "Cool Jazz Tuesdays" this season.

** Dan Schmitt & The Shadows. (July 22)

** The Rochester Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra. (July 29)

** Mark Cassara. (August 5)

All shows are free at Penfield's Amphitheater and start at 7:00 p.m. Be sure to bring a chair.